With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of Elaine Mae (Vitosh) Henzel of Beatrice, NE. At age 85, she died on Friday, October 6, 2017 at the Beatrice Community Hospital. She was a beloved mom, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend who was affectionately known to her family as "Mom, Matka, Chief or Gramme.”

Elaine was born on March 24, 1932 to Charles and Mary (Beran) Vitosh. She was the 6th of 7 children on a dairy farm in Odell, NE. Elaine was married to the love of her life, George W. Henzel, on May 24, 1959, in Wymore, NE. They created a life together on a farm, one-mile north of Virginia, NE. From this union, ten children were born.

Elaine always gave of her time and her heart. Elaine loved to love people.

Elaine never knew a stranger. She could make a dozen friends just by going to the grocery store. Most importantly, her actions spoke equal or greater than her words. By the work of her callused hands, she touched many lives. Elaine’s hands were never still, constantly serving her family, community, and friends. Some of those things were: teaching children; milking cows; holding babies; playing cards; washing clothes; gardening; driving a bus; sweeping floors; planting petunias; making kolaches; joining hands to dance and doing the chicken polka.

Elaine sought to instill in her children a zest for life, a commitment to friends and family, as well as the power of a contagious smile with laughter. Expressively, Elaine’s greatest passion was being devoted to her children and grandchildren.

"Mom, you have given so much and asked for so little in return. Thank you for always being there for us, for teaching us, listening to us, helping and forgiving us, loving us, and always, always believing in us. We are grateful to call you our Mom.

Please join us in celebrating Elaine’s life Thursday, October 12, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. at Harman-Wright Mortuary Chapel, Beatrice, NE, with Pastor David Bigley officiating. Burial will be in the Virginia Cemetery, Virginia, NE. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, with family greeting friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Memorials to family’s choice. A guestbook is available online at www.harmanwrightmortuary.com. Harman-Wright Mortuary & Crematory in charge of arrangements.

The family asks that you spend time with your children, dance a polka, and make a toast to a long-lasting life with friends and family.